Planning commission leans to monument sign for proposed 7 Brew at 990 U.S. 41

Engineer James Huss Jr., of DVG Team Inc., told the Schererville Planning Commission that Hubru LLC seeks to redevelop 990 U.S. 41 (the former Wendy’s) into a 7 Brew drive‑through and presented a full packet including site plans, a signage brand book, a landscaping plan and a photometric lighting demonstration.

Laura Pacino, entitlement coordinator for Hubru LLC, said the concept is drive‑through only with no dine‑in and that a rarely used third lane would open only for high‑traffic events such as grand openings or monthly “SWAG” promotions. Pacino said the operator will use a third‑party traffic management team to train on‑site staff and manage lane changes to avoid blocking adjacent roads.

Huss told commissioners the project involves a tear‑down and rebuild to the franchise prototype on the existing lot; access is governed by an existing REA that previously served the Wendy’s, and he said the applicant will provide the REA documentation to staff. He said most fixtures will be replaced and that a photometric study shows the lighting plan meets ordinance requirements.

A primary point of discussion was signage. Huss presented both a pylon (aerial) option and a monument sign alternative and said the overlay district gives the planning commission discretion on taller pylon signs. Commission members raised line‑of‑sight concerns for traffic coming down the hill and noted corridor consistency. Planning Commission member Bill Jarvis said he preferred the monument option for aesthetic consistency; other members agreed a monument sign was preferable and indicated support for an 8‑foot total height (a 6‑foot sign on a 2‑foot base) located at the monument position shown in the packet.

Staff engineering review also weighed in: a town staff member reported the town engineer reviewed the photometric lighting plan and found it complies with the ordinance, and the applicant said a small number of Wendy’s fixtures will be removed and replaced as part of the work.

The commission did not take a formal vote during the study session but provided direction to the applicant to proceed with the monument option and asked the team to return for a formal hearing on Aug. 3. Huss said the applicant will work with staff on required advertising and will provide any missing documentation ahead of that meeting.

The commission’s guidance was procedural rather than final: the applicant must return for the formal hearing and obtain any required variances or approvals before construction or signage installation can proceed.